If you’re having trouble meeting any repayments or paying your bills, you should do everything you can to prevent your car, home or household goods from being repossessed. Contact your lender or creditors straight away and try to negotiate a new arrangement to make your repayments. You should never ignore the problem.

If your financial problems are temporary because of illness, unemployment or relationship breakdown, you can apply to have your payments suspended or varied due to personal hardship. Go to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) website MoneySmart for more information on credit and debt problems, personal hardship and where to get help.

Department of HousingThe Department of Housing Mortgage Assistance Scheme can help if you’re not able to meet your loan repayments and can provide interest free loans of up to $20,000 over 1 year (conditions apply). Tel: 1800 806 653

Legal AidProvides free consultation where they can help with your credit/debt problems, and determine if you qualify for further assistance. Also has information on mortgage stress. Tel: 1300 888 529

MoneySmartThis ASIC website is where you can do a simple Mortgage Health Check. MoneySmart can also help you make smart choices about money and provides free, independent and unbiased information, tools and motivation.